Volusia County, FL- Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during outdoor hikes and indoor programs at Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC), 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona.
Programs will begin in the center’s classroom. They are free unless otherwise indicated. Reservations are requested and may be made by
calling 386-789-7207, ext. 21028.
September’s programs include:
● Tiny trekkers: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Children ages 2 to 5 can listen to the book “Mouse’s First Fall,” take a short
hike, and make a take-home craft.
● Owl pellet dissection lab: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Did you know owls eat their prey whole? Owls aren’t able to digest bones,
so they regurgitate them as pellets. In this hands-on lab, LEC staff will explain what owls eat and help participants examine the contents of
owl pellets and reconstruct a prey skeleton. The fee is $5 per owl pellet.
● Nature film series: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. Watch the PBS documentary “Scourge of the Lionfish” to learn how this aggressive,
non-native species is proliferating along the East Coast and in the Caribbean Sea. Popcorn will be served. Beverages and snacks will be sold
in the gift shop.
● Coastal ecology and wildlife: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Jennifer Winters will describe seasonal ocean processes and explain how
they can affect sea turtles, shorebirds and other animals. Winters is Volusia County’s Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan program
manager.
● Grandparents’ Day: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Bring Grandpa and the rest of the family to the LEC, where you can see the new
aquarium residents, learn about native alligators and freshwater fish, and meet the center’s other animal ambassadors. Participants will
receive a keepsake photo.
● “Morning in the scrub” hike: 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Watch and listen for birds and other animals as they wake up in
Lyonia Preserve.
● Creature feature: 11 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. LEC staff will share interesting facts about bobwhite quails. Learn about their
habitat, common behaviors, and the important role they play in the ecosystem.
● Autumn leaf creations: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Staff will guide participants as they make colorful fall leaf napkin
rings and table decorations. The cost is $3 per participant.
● Waterwise landscaping: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Learn the basics of planting a Florida-friendly garden. Staff will offer tips on
placing the right plant in the right place, saving water, minimizing garden maintenance, and lessening the landscape’s impact on the
environment. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a “Waterwise Florida Landscapes” booklet.
● The Florida scrub jay: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Why do scrub jays sometimes land on people? Why do they cache over 6,000 acorns
a year? Staff will answer these questions and more during a classroom presentation that will explore the bird’s anatomy and diet and the
threats it faces. After the presentation, participants and staff will take a short stroll into Lyonia Preserve to observe the birds and hear
their calls.
● Tiny trekkers: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Children ages 2 to 5 can listen to the book “Fall Mixed Up,” take a short hike, and
make a take-home craft.
● Every drop counts: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Learn about the importance of having a rain barrel and how to assemble one.
Staff will also describe additional methods of water conservation, such as Florida-friendly landscaping, rain gardens and low-flow water
fixtures. The first 20 participants will receive a free low-flow showerhead. A limited number of rain barrels will be available for
purchase.
● Festive fall wreath-making: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Make a unique wreath using materials found in nature. Materials and decorative
items will be provided. The cost is $8 per wreath.
● Scrub strolls: 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Friday. Environmental specialists lead these exploratory hikes through Lyonia
Preserve.
If you will be walking through Lyonia Preserve, wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on sugar-sand trails.
Lyonia Environmental Center offers insights into Volusia County’s fragile ecosystems through hands-on displays and educational programs. It’s part of the Deltona Regional Library complex at 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
Learn what’s happening at the LEC at www.lyoniapreserve.com.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.
